The partnership between
Major League Soccer (MLS), Special Olympics North America and ESPN leverages
the strength of MLS and the greater soccer community to promote awareness,
respect and inclusion of Special Olympics athletes amongst MLS players, clubs,
supporters and partners, creating new participants, coaches, and fans needed to
grow the sport of soccer within Special Olympics North America programs.

Now in its fourth season, 21 MLS clubs participate in the MLS WORKS – Special Olympics Unified Sports
soccer exchange match series. Through the Unified Sports soccer exchange
program, Unified soccer teams from MLS cities travel to other MLS markets to
compete in exhibition matches with their Special Olympics counterparts. Unified
matches are scheduled in conjunction with MLS club matches, providing MLS fans
with an opportunity to witness first-hand, the talents and abilities of Special
Olympics soccer players. Supporting these matches is ESPN, MLS broadcast
partner and Global Presenting Sponsor of Special Olympics Unified Sports.